I hope this won't drag on too long but we just returned from our Disney trip and I want to get my 2 cents in before I forget the details:
Cast of characters: Me - 58 yo Grandmother and instigator of the family trip/my DH 63 yo/2 sons, their wives and 4 grandchildren 9,8,5,4
I am only going to comment on things that I think might help others in planning a trip. I can't give you a day by day trip through the parks as we hopped so much, I can't remember when we went where!
I would definitely recommend doing the E-Ticket nights. Usually the daily thunderstom is over by then and it is much less hot and humid and less crowds late in the evening.
I poured over these boards every evening for 2 months trying to plan the perfect trip and I appreciate each and every post. I wanted the Epcot area but was torn between Beach Club/Yacht Club or Boardwalk. We arrived a day early so stayed concierge at the Swan for one night. It was wonderful but we really didn't benefit much from concierge. We're on Atkins and their breakfast is beautiful but definitely "carb filled" and not an ounce of protein!
We were out late so the evening goodies were being put away by the time we reached the lounge. We would definitely stay Swan again but not concierge.
The Boardwalk Inn was beautiful and everyone was more than accomodating. We were in 1345, 1346 and 1348. This was way away from the lobby and down a long, long hallway, but we found a shortcut across the beautiful courtyard, so that didn't bother us. We had a nice fountain outside our patio and the quiet pool was just a few steps away. It suited us fine! Housekeeping was so-so with no frills and no interaction with towels or anything like that even though we did tip daily. We were out and about every day anyway so by the time we got back to the rooms we didn't really care as long as they were clean, dry and cool!
However, my biggest and only complaint with the Boardwalk Inn
is there is no restaurant in the hotel which seemed odd to me
with the number of people staying there. (both the Inn and Villas
were supposedly full)
You could not even get breakfast nor coffee at the Belle Vue Room as we had been told. The ONLY places offering coffee or any kind of breakfast on the boardwalk was Spoodles (good but not the sort of food you'd want every morning). Boardwalk Joes, the cart, was not open until evening so the only place other than room service was the Boardwalk Bakery. Because of this the line was VERY long in the mornings. For a nice breakfast,you'll either have to go to the Swan or Dolphin or the Yacht Club or Beach Club, which we did do most mornings.
I was also somewhat disappointed in the activities going on on the Boardwalk. Even though I'd consider our time "prime" there were very few amusements other than the ESPN Club, and other clubs that were open. We only saw the "piano cycler" one night during our 8 night visit!
All things considered, I'd definitely choose the Yacht or Beach Club over the Boardwalk on future trips. It's just a short walk or boat ride over to the activities at Boardwalk. They both had wonderful restaurants in the hotels and it appeared that they could also get a continental breakfast in their lounges.
Other observations:
It seemed most of the visitors in the parks were from foreign contries. I'm glad to see the tourist business is thriving.
The Fantasmic Dinner package was a good idea. We ate buffet at Hollywood and Vine and the food was good with great service!
We loved the Prime Time 50's Cafe for Sunday lunch! All our men got the pot roast and thought it wonderful. I had fried chicken which was great but the green beans were awful. I think they were hoping I'd leave them on the plate so I'd be punished but I made my dh eat them! Both of my daughters-in-law "did not eat all their veggies" and had to be punished. This really pleased their children!
Dinner at the Flying Fish was wonderful and a great experience for all. Even the children loved it!
Slider burgers at ESPN are really good! (Did that twice)
We like watching Illuminations from the sidewalk cantina in Mexico. The margaritas aren't bad either!
The Yacht Club Galley has great eggs benedict!! (great service)
Our vacation was wonderful and I'm reluctant to complain about anything. Just wanted to slip in a few facts for those planning a trip. I'll be glad to answer any questions.
Cast of characters: Me - 58 yo Grandmother and instigator of the family trip/my DH 63 yo/2 sons, their wives and 4 grandchildren 9,8,5,4
I am only going to comment on things that I think might help others in planning a trip. I can't give you a day by day trip through the parks as we hopped so much, I can't remember when we went where!
I would definitely recommend doing the E-Ticket nights. Usually the daily thunderstom is over by then and it is much less hot and humid and less crowds late in the evening.
I poured over these boards every evening for 2 months trying to plan the perfect trip and I appreciate each and every post. I wanted the Epcot area but was torn between Beach Club/Yacht Club or Boardwalk. We arrived a day early so stayed concierge at the Swan for one night. It was wonderful but we really didn't benefit much from concierge. We're on Atkins and their breakfast is beautiful but definitely "carb filled" and not an ounce of protein!
We were out late so the evening goodies were being put away by the time we reached the lounge. We would definitely stay Swan again but not concierge.
The Boardwalk Inn was beautiful and everyone was more than accomodating. We were in 1345, 1346 and 1348. This was way away from the lobby and down a long, long hallway, but we found a shortcut across the beautiful courtyard, so that didn't bother us. We had a nice fountain outside our patio and the quiet pool was just a few steps away. It suited us fine! Housekeeping was so-so with no frills and no interaction with towels or anything like that even though we did tip daily. We were out and about every day anyway so by the time we got back to the rooms we didn't really care as long as they were clean, dry and cool!
However, my biggest and only complaint with the Boardwalk Inn
is there is no restaurant in the hotel which seemed odd to me
with the number of people staying there. (both the Inn and Villas
were supposedly full)
You could not even get breakfast nor coffee at the Belle Vue Room as we had been told. The ONLY places offering coffee or any kind of breakfast on the boardwalk was Spoodles (good but not the sort of food you'd want every morning). Boardwalk Joes, the cart, was not open until evening so the only place other than room service was the Boardwalk Bakery. Because of this the line was VERY long in the mornings. For a nice breakfast,you'll either have to go to the Swan or Dolphin or the Yacht Club or Beach Club, which we did do most mornings.
I was also somewhat disappointed in the activities going on on the Boardwalk. Even though I'd consider our time "prime" there were very few amusements other than the ESPN Club, and other clubs that were open. We only saw the "piano cycler" one night during our 8 night visit!
All things considered, I'd definitely choose the Yacht or Beach Club over the Boardwalk on future trips. It's just a short walk or boat ride over to the activities at Boardwalk. They both had wonderful restaurants in the hotels and it appeared that they could also get a continental breakfast in their lounges.
Other observations:
It seemed most of the visitors in the parks were from foreign contries. I'm glad to see the tourist business is thriving.
The Fantasmic Dinner package was a good idea. We ate buffet at Hollywood and Vine and the food was good with great service!
We loved the Prime Time 50's Cafe for Sunday lunch! All our men got the pot roast and thought it wonderful. I had fried chicken which was great but the green beans were awful. I think they were hoping I'd leave them on the plate so I'd be punished but I made my dh eat them! Both of my daughters-in-law "did not eat all their veggies" and had to be punished. This really pleased their children!
Dinner at the Flying Fish was wonderful and a great experience for all. Even the children loved it!
Slider burgers at ESPN are really good! (Did that twice)
We like watching Illuminations from the sidewalk cantina in Mexico. The margaritas aren't bad either!
The Yacht Club Galley has great eggs benedict!! (great service)
Our vacation was wonderful and I'm reluctant to complain about anything. Just wanted to slip in a few facts for those planning a trip. I'll be glad to answer any questions.
